Venus Williams is set to make a remarkable return to Grand Slam tennis as she steps onto the courts at Flushing Meadows for the 2025 U.S. Open, armed with a wild-card invitation and a determination that has defined her legendary career. At 45 years old, Williams will be the oldest singles entrant at the U.S. Open since Renee Richards competed at age 47 back in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. This milestone places Williams in the rarefied company of tennis icons who have stretched the boundaries of age and performance on the sport’s biggest stages.
Williams’ entry into the singles draw, which begins August 24, 2025, comes after a two-year absence from Grand Slam singles play. She’s no stranger to the U.S. Open spotlight: with seven major singles championships to her name—including U.S. Open victories in 2000 and 2001—plus 14 women’s doubles titles won alongside her sister Serena and two mixed doubles crowns, Venus has long been a force at Flushing Meadows. This year marks her 25th appearance in the U.S. Open singles competition, setting a new record for the most appearances by a woman in the tournament’s history—a testament to her enduring presence and resilience on the tour.
"I’m just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there’s more. ... But at the moment, I’m focused just on this. I haven’t played in a year. There is no doubt I can play tennis, but obviously coming back to play matches, it takes time to get in the swing of things. I definitely feel I’ll play well. I’m still the same player. I’m a big hitter. I hit big. This is my brand," Williams told reporters when she returned to the tour last month at the DC Open, her first match in 16 months.
Her journey back to the court hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2024, Williams underwent surgery to remove uterine fibroids, causing her to miss most of that season. She returned in July 2025 at the DC Open in Washington, not only making headlines for her on-court efforts but also for personal milestones, including her engagement to an Italian actor. In that tournament, she defeated Peyton Stearns, becoming the oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova’s storied victory at Wimbledon in 2004 at age 47. Williams also picked up a doubles win at the DC Open, underscoring her competitive spirit and versatility.
Her ranking may have slipped—she is currently listed at 654th in WTA singles according to the International Tennis Federation, a result of injuries and tough outings in 2023—but her passion remains undiminished. Williams’ last Grand Slam appearance came at the 2023 U.S. Open, where she exited in the first round. In fact, she hasn’t notched a singles win at the U.S. Open since 2019. Yet, her return this year is about more than just results; it’s about breaking barriers and rewriting the narrative for veteran athletes in tennis.
Williams’ wild-card entry is not limited to singles. She will also compete in the mixed doubles tournament scheduled for August 19-20, 2025, partnering with 27-year-old American Reilly Opelka, a former top-20 player. The U.S. Tennis Association extended her the invitation, recognizing both her storied past and her continued drawing power for fans around the world. Other women’s singles wild cards have been granted to Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman, and Alyssa Ahn, as well as France’s Caroline Garcia—who will be playing her final Grand Slam before retirement—and Australia’s Talia Gibson. The men’s wild cards include Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic, Darwin Blanch, Valentin Royer, and Tristan Schoolkate.
Venus Williams’ longevity is especially remarkable when placed in historical context. While she will be the oldest singles entrant at the U.S. Open since 1981, she is not the oldest woman ever to compete in the event. In 1968, Raymonde Veber Jones, then 50 years and eight months old, played and won her first-round match, while Gussie Moran competed in 1971 at 47 years and 11 months. Renee Richards famously played as a woman at age 47 in 1981. On the men’s side, Frank Parker holds the record as the oldest player, having played at age 52 in 1968.
Williams’ impact on the sport extends far beyond her age. She made an unforgettable debut at the U.S. Open in 1997, reaching the singles final as a 17-year-old. Since then, her career has been a series of firsts and records, inspiring generations of players. Her younger sister Serena, who retired after the 2022 U.S. Open with 23 Grand Slam singles trophies, also set age-related records—winning her 23rd Slam at 35 and holding the world No. 1 ranking as the oldest female player to do so.
Professional tennis, unlike many other sports, has seen champions thrive well into their 30s and beyond. Martina Navratilova won her 59th Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at age 49. Flavia Pennetta became the oldest female singles winner at the U.S. Open in the open era at age 33 in 2015, while Novak Djokovic claimed the men’s singles record at age 36 in 2023. Molla Bjurstedt Mallory’s 1926 U.S. Open singles win at age 42 remains the all-time women’s record. These milestones highlight the unique opportunities tennis offers for longevity at the highest level.
For Williams, the road back to Flushing Meadows has been paved with both setbacks and triumphs. Her performance at the Cincinnati Open in early August 2025, where she exited in the first round after entering via wild card, was another step in her ongoing journey. Yet, her presence in the draw is a victory in itself—a signal to fans and fellow athletes alike that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing greatness.
As the U.S. Open approaches, all eyes will be on Venus Williams. Can she summon the magic that made her a champion at the turn of the millennium? Will her experience and power help her defy the odds once more? One thing’s for sure: her story continues to captivate, proving that legends never truly leave the stage—they just find new ways to make history.
With the singles tournament set to begin on August 24 and the mixed doubles starting August 19, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most memorable chapters yet in Venus Williams’ extraordinary career. Regardless of the outcome, her return is already a victory for perseverance and the enduring spirit of sport.
